Design Engineering Manager, Plastics Injection Molding

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental/vision coverage

401(k) match

PTO and holidays

Life and disability insurance

Bonus/incentive eligibility

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Actalent in Jefferson City, MO is seeking a Design Engineering Manager to lead a team focused on plastic injection molded product design from concept through production support. The role emphasizes manufacturability, cost control, and cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing engineering and QA using SolidWorks for CAD and prototyping.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in plastic design, a leadership track, and knowledge of DFM/DFA, with a hands-on approach to injection molding and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Plastics Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in design of plastic injection molded products.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team of design engineers.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D modeling and 2D drafting.
• Experience with prototyping techniques and rapid iteration processes.
• Hands-on experience with injection molding processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail in design and documentation.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• DFM and DFA knowledge.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of design engineers, providing technical guidance and performance feedback.
• Conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products meeting requirements for functionality and manufacturability.
• Use SolidWorks to create detailed 3D CAD models and 2D drawings of parts and assemblies.
• Oversee the prototyping process and validate designs for fit, form, and function.
• Evaluate and select plastic materials based on performance, environment, and cost.
• Apply DFM and DFA principles to ensure efficient production of molded products.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, QA, and other stakeholders to align designs with production capabilities.
• Support injection molding activities and resolve design-related production issues.
• Drive rapid iteration through prototyping, testing, and design validation.
• Ensure designs meet quality standards and customer expectations with reviews and corrective actions.
• Manage multiple projects with priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Communicate progress to leadership and report issues to the VP of Engineering.
• Stay current with trends and technologies in plastics and injection molding.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

CAD modeling

Prototyping techniques

DFM knowledge

DFA knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation accuracy

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Plastics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Actalent in Jefferson City, MO is seeking a Design Engineering Manager to lead a team focused on plastic injection molded product design from concept through production support. The role emphasizes manufacturability, cost control, and cross-functional collaboration with manufacturing engineering and QA using SolidWorks for CAD and prototyping.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in plastic design, a leadership track, and knowledge of DFM/DFA, with a hands-on approach to injection molding and strong